A Glasgow-based maritime tech startup is aiming to unlock the next phase of wind-assisted shipping with a new approach to Flettner rotor sails.
EcoNavis Solutions has developed a next-generation Eco Rotor Sail, designed to overcome one of the technology’s key limitations — its reliance on favourable wind angles.
While traditional Flettner rotors use a rotating cylinder to generate thrust, EcoNavis has introduced a patented tail-appendage device that reshapes airflow behind the rotor. This stabilises performance, reduces energy losses and maintains thrust across a wider range of wind conditions.
Initial simulations suggest the innovation could deliver up to a 10% increase in thrust, alongside a 5% reduction in torque demand — improving both efficiency and operational flexibility.
CEO and founder Batuhan Aktas said the breakthrough could shift how the technology is used: “If you can maintain performance across a wider range of conditions, you change how the technology is used. It becomes something operators can plan around, rather than something that depends on favourable weather.”
The project is supported by a £100,000 research grant from Scottish Enterprise as part of a £265,000 development programme. Wind tunnel trials are planned at the Politecnico di Milano, with a full-scale prototype potentially ready for shipboard testing later this year.
Flettner rotors, first introduced a century ago, are seeing renewed interest as shipowners look for proven ways to cut fuel use and meet emissions targets. By addressing performance variability across different wind angles, EcoNavis’ design could make the technology more viable for vessels operating on global routes — reinforcing Glasgow’s role in maritime innovation and clean shipping solutions.